[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 86 (Monday, June 1, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E802-E803]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      REMEMBERING MARCUS BELGRAVE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JOHN CONYERS, JR.

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, June 1, 2015

  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the 
life and career of my friend and fellow Detroiter, Marcus Belgrave, who 
passed away last Sunday, May 24th.
  Mr. Belgrave was a consummate gentleman; a legendary jazz impresario; 
and a gifted player, composer, and teacher. It is difficult to fathom 
how one achieves all that Marcus did--he started his career at just 18 
years old, playing with Ray Charles. He went on to share the stage with 
luminaries like Ella Fitzgerald, Charles Mingus, McCoy Tyner, Dizzy 
Gillespie, Eric Dolphy, Aretha Franklin, Wynton Marsalis, and Joe 
Henderson. Everyone has heard the power of his talent in

[[Page E803]]

Motown classics like ``My Girl'' and ``Dancing in the Street.'' As a 
Jazz Ambassador, Marcus Belgrave carried his American sound to Latin 
America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.
  But he was not just a musician, not just a composer--he was a mentor 
of the highest order. He taught Jazz to some of our greatest 
contemporary artists, including Geri Allen, Regina Carter, Kenny 
Garnett, Robert Hurst, and Karriem Riggens. Virtually every Jazz artist 
to come out of Detroit in the past 50 years was influenced by Marcus. 
Though he may be gone and his trumpet is finally silent, his talent and 
voice will continue to inspire new generations through the lives he 
helped shape. His shadow will loom large over every Detroiter who picks 
up the trumpet.
  He will also live on through the institutions of Jazz that he 
founded, chartered, and fostered. He was an original member of the 
Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. He established the Jazz Development 
Workshop and Jazz Studies program at the Detroit Metro Arts Complex. He 
served as a Professor of Jazz at Oberlin College in Ohio. Motown would 
not have been the same without him. Detroit's place in Jazz history 
would not be the same without him.
  The world lost a living legend last week, and Detroit lost a 
champion. But Mr. Belgrave lived his life in such a way that he will 
remembered forever. I offer my heartfelt condolences to his wife Joan, 
his children, and all the family, friends, and fans who mourn the 
passing of a legend.

                          ____________________